!! TIME CHANGE !! UPDATED TIME TABLE BELOW 45 MIN LATER !!The family of Herman Leo Bagsby, 79, has invited the Patriot Guard Riders to honor their Hero with an accompany from the family home in Buena Park to American Legion Post #716 in Los Alamitos. We will be honored to do so.
Herman Leo Bagsby was born in Mayfield, Kentucky, May 6, 1942 and died June 22, 2021. He was 79 years old.
Leo, as he was known in Illinois and Kentucky, or Lee, as he was known in California, joined the Marine Corps in St. Louis, MO on November 11, 1961 along with his nephews William "Bill" Cissell, and Thomas "Tom" Cissell. They went through boot camp together at MCRD San Diego, and infantry training at Camp Pendleton.
Lee served 2 tours in Vietnam, being wounded on the first tour. The doctors at the hospital in Hawaii fixed him up as best they could and he stayed in the Corps to serve a 2nd tour in Vietnam. While preparing for a third tour, it was determined Lee was not physically able and was given an Honorable discharge at the rank of Sergeant (E-5). His total service was November 11, 1961 to October 18, 1968. One year, 1 month and 18 days were foreign service.
During his service, Sgt. Bagsby was awarded the following, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnamese Service Medal with 2 devices, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Purple Heart, and Good Conduct Medal with device.
After his service, Lee worked for Hadley Auto Transport in the Teamsters Union for 18 years loading and unloading Ford automobiles. He worked 10 years for La Pama Medical. He worked as a Security Guard for Smith Security and drove a Taxi Cab.
Along the way in 1981 Herman met Janet Goldman of Indiana and in 1983 they married. His hobby was coin collecting. Herman was a life long St. Louis Cardinal baseball fan.
A little over 15 years ago (2005), Leo/Lee had a heart transplant and survived longer than all the others who received heart transplants at that time. In 2007 and 2008 Herman was diagnosed with lung cancer, due to Agent Orange exposure in Vietnam. Each time he had surgery to remove portions of his lungs, because of the heart transplant, he could not do Chemotherapy.
Lee is survived by 3 daughters, Kathy Bagsby, Debbie Bagsby and Erika Jenkins. He was preceded in death by a son, Michael Lee Bagsby and a daughter, Rebecca Yost. Lee has one brother, Rudy Bagsby, all other siblings are deceased. He has 10 Grandchildren and 9 Great Grandchildren. He also has many nephews, nieces, and cousins.
NOTE: This mission posting is to facilitate your voluntary participation in honoring this Military Veteran. For those interested, and all PGR members are welcome, we will be accompanying the hero and his family from the family home to the memorial service, approx 5 miles. Please see the time table if you would like to participate. For those who would rather go directly to the memorial service, we will meet you there.
NOTE: ACCOMPANY WILL BE ON SURFACE STREETS, PLEASE FLY BIG FLAGS IF YOU HAVE THEM
NOTE: COVID-19 restrictions may apply, have masks/face coverings available if needed.UPDATED!! Time Table for Sunday, 01 AUG 2021:1030 - Stage at Walmart Neighborhood Market, 5420 La Palma Ave., La Palma, CA 90623
https://goo.gl/maps/9CrXcH2AjpmJzN5s71100 - Mission Briefing
1130 - KSU to the family home
1145 - Flag Line for dignified transfer of the Hero's urn to the family vehicle
1200 - KSU for accompany to American Legion Post #716, 3252 Florista St., Los Alamitos CA 90720
https://goo.gl/maps/z1ub6L6K7YUn5A9v71230 - Flag Line for dignified transfer of Hero's urn to the American Legion hall for his Celebration of Life
1245 - PGR Dismissed
R/C Lester Forsythe
SoCalPGR – Ride CaptainMM2/SS US Navy, Submarines
AKA Rottndog
(714)743-3574
pgrrottndog@gmail.com
You do not have to be a Veteran or a motorcycle rider to attend this mission. All PGR members are welcome. We encourage those who do not ride to attend in your car. If this will be your first mission go to the initial staging area and you will be briefed there by the Ride Captain (RC). Dress for motorcycle riding or dress casually if you are driving a cage (car). Please feel free to attend any portion of this mission you can. Please ride/drive safely.
